Paintings With Soul

    "Smitty's Ball," from the "Play Ball" series, 6" x 8", acrylic on museum quality panel, portrait of a Jack Russel terrier with his favorite toy, $329.  Inquiries may come  to me. SOLD.   In process pics of Smitty are  on Facebook , and  prints of this gem  will be available for the next week (through Friday, July 5th, 2013).   I'm also still accepting photos for more dogs and balls - submit your pics to me  via email .  By submitting photos, you are ascertaining that you are the photographer and have the right to grant me permission to create derivative paintings from said photos.   Thanks so much! These "Play Ball" paintings are simply fabulous - look at all the inspiration YOU have shared!!   Thanks for supporting my artwork! Enjoy your weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Play Ball Prints Available   Click on the image below for orderin...

    "Emma," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of the cutest terrier ever, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!!!).   I can absolutely paint your dog (or cat or horse or bunny or guinea pig) - inquiries may come  to me !   Commissioned portraits start at $209, and are one of the best ways ever to commemorate your relationship with a beloved pet. Gift certificates available, too, so that the recipient can be involved in the process of choosing reference materials and building the composition.   (Ahem, Father's Day is coming up, hint hint)   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS  Those of you who have painted with me in the past - do you see how Emma is "White-ish"? there isn't a speck of pure white pigment on her - everything is relative!!

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Dottie's Still Here", a painted sketch, paper sized 5" x 7", done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on multimedia artists board. Dottie's is a commissioned Jack Russell portrait with a special story. Dottie's Mom is going through chemo right now, and had to say goodbye to her little soulmate rather abruptly and unexpectedly. Dottie's extended family thought a portrait would remind her Mom of how much she has - and is - loved. It was my honor to be a part of this gift. Thanks in advance for sharing the Painting a Dog a Day artwork and my journey, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com "Help Japan" This week's Daily Paintworks challenge , "Help Japan," is a fundraiser for the survivors of the Japanese earthquake. Over $15,000 has already been raised by the participating artists! Visit the event page to browse the artwork. Paintings are still being added. If you want to go directly to ...

"Stella in Profile," 6" square, commissioned terrier portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (thank you!). Inquiries may always come to me . I had Stella's painting finished this afternoon, but life got in the way of posting it earlier. A child needed a ride across town, then dinner had to be started followed by another jaunt across town to put the chickens and ducks away (we're farm sitting this weekend), with a quick stop at the library squeezed in. Then we rushed back home for a family meal, and chased it all with an event at my daughter's school. Now I want to nurse a cup of tea partnered with some peanut butter cookies. Which I will get to do shortly. After I throw a load of laundry in. There's never enough hours (or hands) to get it all done!! Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family. Have a great weekend - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.paintingadogaday.com PS Want a great...

         I know the images are small, but hopefully you will be able to see the shifts I made. The sky was lovely in the first painting, but too dark. It distracted from the dog's face, and seemed almost foreboding, which contradicted the dog's mood. Lightening it up also allowed the slanted horizon, intentionally angled to build a little contra-action to the implied motion of the dog, to better play it's part. The dog's face was not drawn properly. The eye sat too low, and the nose was twisted and not grabbing the light properly. My poor girl had a scrawny neck that was impossibly thin, and her chest and shoulders were not properly illuminated. It is so key that your subject be drawn properly to begin with, otherwise all the masterful handling of paint in the world cannot do it justice. Use a mirror to study the drawing in reverse or flip the piece on it's side/upside down to more handily see draftmanship mistakes. It's also imperative that your focal point is ...

"Purpose," 8" x 16", terrier portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $529. Inquiries may come to me . SOLD. It's gray and miserable and damp and downright yechy outside, but here in the studio, all is aglow from the light emanating from this little terrier. She has set the tone for the week - despite the weather, I, too, will step forward with purpose and get much accomplished (I'd better, as there's a lot on my plate in the coming days, and I ain't talking turkey, either). Did you remember the painting I am auctioning off for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary ? It is an octo-portrait of the pit bull Theresa who you might have met via last week's television episode of Dog Town. The painting is on ebay , and the sale ends tonite. Please please please share this ebay link with any animal lovers you know! One of my goals is to work on improving my writing and earn the opportunity to be published. I've already had one article picke...

"Allie," 6" x 12", commissioned Terrier dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). I would love to chat about commissioning a pet portrait - all interested parties may send me an email .   I wish you could hold this painting and see it for yourself. Even though the boldest color is in Allie's mask and ears, the part that I am most in love with is the wirey fur underneath her chin and neck on the shadowed side. Oodles of glaze and lazy brushwork balance out the contrast immediately above it nicely.   I want to paint like this every day!! We'll see what tomorrow brings.....   Thanks, as always, for looking at my paintings! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Ozzie's Smile," 6" x 8", terrier dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. I believe Ozzie's portrait is already spoken for, but if you are interested, please send me an email at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  . Being terribly nearsighted has its benefits. For example, I am great at digging out slivers. And does my nearsightedness positively impact my ability to paint? I always want "in your face" sorts of paintings. I am more comfortable painting larger than life or larger than my references. I see color over value. And I'm very comfortable with the whole less is more mentality. These are things not everyone gets, and I'm curious if they are mine because of my eyes. Are there any other nearsighted people out there? Please sound in on how you think your vision (or lack thereof) has impacted your life by commenting here.  Thanks for sharing my paintings!! See you tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.turtledovedesigns.com

FROM TOP:  "Lola II," 8" square ($349), and "Lola I," 6" x 8" ( SOLD ). Portraits of a Jack Russell spitfire - err, terrier - done in acrylic on canvasboard. One has already found her home (THANK YOU!). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .   Our vacation was beautiful - long and lingering walks, mountains of excellent food, a couple of entertaining books, and hours spent just watching the sky. But now I'm back (freezing my butt off, I might add!) and ready to work on some stellar portraits. I've got a few dear dogs like Lola, as well as a horse booked this week, so stay tuned.   These are the last days for the DOGADAY sale at my etsy shop  - 20% off all the Dog-a-Day paintings listed on etsy . The sale lasts through Saturday, January 31st. In addition to the dog, cat and horse pieces, there are a good number of candy paintings available that would make darling Valentines. To find them, take a peek under the "Tags, T...

"Lifeguard on Duty (Peanut)," 16" x 20", terrier dog portrait in acrylic on board, $659. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. This is a much larger than usual dog-a-day painting . Technically it isn't even really one, given that I've been picking away at it, off and on, since early May, and the typical dog-a-day painting is completed in one sitting. But often l start a piece with lofty intentions, and then recognize I can't carry it off without learning a few new things. So I lose momentum and the painting sits, 1/2 completed, waiting patiently for me to muster the courage to finish. Even with lapsed time, patience, and additional miles under my brushes, the imagined painting doesn't always turn out. (By the way, I throw out just as many paintings as I share on this blog.) But those times when things fall into place as I step up to paint the last pass-through, it feels darned good. I'm off for some celebratory oreos and iced tea...

"Squirrel Patrol," 10" x 20", terrier dog portrait , acrylic on board. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This is Peanut, who I have gotten to paint before ( http://paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/search?q=peanut+terrier ). I fall more in love with him each time I pick up the brushes. My client has patiently waited for me to finish up Peanut's 2 larger paintings (there's another one soaking wet on the easel, 16" x 20") before she makes her choice. I'm wait-listing anyone interested in having a Peanut for themselves - feel free to send a note to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I hope to have the fourth and final Peanut finished very soon..... I've gotten some nice press via inclusion in Mel Edwards' Votre Vray project. Mel has been interviewing creative women as research for a book/play that she is writing. We had a great chat a few weeks back, and she did a beautiful job summarizing a few of the points we tou...

"Working on My Tan (Peanut)," 8" x 16", terrier portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $329. I was so excited about how the 2nd Peanut painting finished up that I had to share! Peanut's Mom wants to wait till all 4 paintings are completed before choosing. So if you are interested in Peanut sunbathing, or Wednesday's couch potato, please send an email to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I'll get wait lists started. This composition will definately be revisited, in a gallery stretched canvas that is at least lifesized. I've always wanted to do an richly colored oriental rug in strong shadows. The trick will be finding (and photographing) a rug with just the right sort of patterning to compliment the dog's markings. I can always take artistic license and modify the dog's patches to mirror the pattern in the rug, too. It's something for my brain to work on during the coming weeks. Ok, meanwhile it's back to the easel and another Peanut pain...

"Peanut's in the Couch," 8" x 10", terrier pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Today was a Peanut Fest. I worked on 4 different paintings of this little guy, and really thought I'd get them all done, but forgot that I had to clean up before dinner, as I actually have plans tonight. I'll get the rest finished in the coming days. I love the way Peanut's all curled up into his blanket, cozy and warm. Sort of like the best spot to be on a drizzly and damp day. (Not that today was one of those!) But it's a painting with a little bit of atmosphere to it. The other three Peanuts are playing outside, perched on the edge of a dock, and sunbathing. They vary in size from 8" x 16" all the way up to 16" x 20". This little dog has a precociousness about him that is precious, and his paintings are sure to draw the viewer in close for a better look. That's if my client lets me ...

"The Grand Dame (Chloe)," 8" x 10", commissioned pet portrait , Jack Russell terrier, in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). I saved the best for last. Chloe is 14, and the one who started it all. Bursting with personality (like all terriers), she carries a great knowledge of how the household operates (like the oven timer going off equalling tasty morsels). As with Scooter's painting yesterday, I wanted a bit of a timeless appearance to Chloe's portrait. I painted her with brighter markings, but a hint of gray. She is The Matriarch, after all. Here are this week's 5 paintings and the cleaner side of my studio floor (the last stretch of flooring without paint spatters!). It's important to point out that each study was painted individually - I did not approach the project with the idea of making paintings that matched each other - or even worse - a sofa! It is the personality shining in each respective portrait which is what makes...

"Scooter," 6" x 12", commissioned jack russell terrier pet portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). This is Scooter, a 12 year old "mama's boy." I used a combination of current and older photos so as to paint Scooter in an ageless fashion - his markings still bright with youth, but his eyes a little wiser from age. And that ever present terrier tenacity as well! At the risk of coming across as shameless, I thought I might share a snippet of a note from this week's Jack Russell lovin' client (with her permission, of course). She had reserved a full week's worth of portraiture last July, and has been patiently in the wings for the past 6 months. She sent me this earlier today. "....So often in life we plan and look forward to an upcoming experience. The event finally occurs and we sometimes allow ourselves to be let down, as though the anticipation eclipsed the one thing we were looking forward to. I wanted yo...

"Naughty Nadia," 6" x 8", commissioned jack russell terrier pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Nadia is another member of the now infamous terrier family that I'm painting this week. She literally was dropped at my client's place of business by a family headed for vacation. They didn't want to kennel her, and would have her put down if my client (who we've established in a prior posting has a reputation for liking Jack Russells) wouldn't take her. They could not open their hearts or their home fast enough for this little girl. While the rest of the dogs in her family carry a sense of entitlement, Naughty seems genuinely grateful for all kindnesses that come her way - food, love and shelter. Even after three years of consistant love and care. She's such a dear soul who, like so many others, did not deserve the rough start she got in life. Naughty lucked out, though, in the end, and got the happy ending sh...

"Jack," 6" x 8", Jack Russell terrier pet portrait , acrylic on canvasboard. I believe this painting has a home, but as it's late, and I don't expect to hear back from my clents (because it's late!), I don't want to jump to conclusions. If you are interested, as always, drop me an email at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com , and I'll keep you posted. But back to Jack. When you live in a small town, word gets around as to your likes and dislikes. That can work to your advantage. That could be a disadvantage - depends entirely on your point of view. In Jack's case, though, both sides benefitted tremendously. After Jack was picked up numerous times, the local Animal Protection League called up my clients with the "we hear you like jack russells" line. Turns out Jack wasn't a naughty dog who repeatedly ran away from home - he was deaf, totally unbeknownst to his prior family. Take it as you will, but that family probably wasn't re...

"Terrier Study," 5x7, jack russell or parson's terrier portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $90. $18 from the sale of this painting will go to the Oakland Pet Adoption Center/Oakland Pet Fund in the buyers’ name. Available to the first buyer – all inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD . This little guy was one of two male JRT strays picked up by Oakland Animal Control right before Labor Day weekend. As of last week, both were crated together, and keeping each other company. This guy was the more confidant one, nudging the gate handle on his crate, furiously wagging his stubby tail, while his partner in crime sat back and quietly checked me out. Both of them carried tremendous light in their eyes. They were chock full of terrier vitality, and I longed to see them working over a pile of logs or romping through a field together. Again, just to reiterate how Shelter & Rescue Week works - Each of the paintings completed this week were inspired by an animal at...

Today’s piece is all about color. I wanted to play with color today, so chose to paint a tri-colored terrier. Their wiry fur lies close to pink skin, and the tan and black markings shift from orange to blue to green to violet. I simply loaded my brush and had at it! The image does no justice at all to the juicy detail in this painting – this little fellow is laughing, full of life, and ready for spring. Come to think of it, I’m feeling a little giddy myself at the promise of some sunshine. “Jack Russell/Parsons Terrier Study,” 6”x12”, acrylic dog portrait on canvasboard, $90. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. I owe a special thanks to the “Dog Lady” for applying her distinctive voice to an article on the Dog-a-Day project, which you can see (along with many other entertaining canine related reads) on her site http://www.askdoglady.com/ . Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these dog paintings with your friends and family. Cheers to the last day of winte...